A/N: To those I said I'd have this up in a couple weeks, I'm sorry its late. To you and everyone else, I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 12

"Do you remember our mission in Gotham?" Batman asked of Virgil.

"Yeah of course." Virgil answered. "Some one was stealing top secret info from y-… Bruce Wayne's research files." Inwardly, Virgil berated himself for almost revealing Batman's identity, who knew if the room was bugged? But on the outside he kept his face schooled and passed it off as a stutter. "But we never found out who it was. The mission was a bust."

"No it wasn't. After you left I worked out the identity of an organization that is known as The Foot," Virgil heard the rustle of chains and looked to the turtle creatures who were looking intently at Batman as he continued,

"They are a thieving clan of Ninja assassins originating from Japan. They hide their illegal dealings under the guise of legitimate businesses around the world."

Virgil was silent for a while, pondering this new information. "So let me guess, these super secret ninja guys are the ones that are responsible for the wonderful hospitality we've been receiving?" A nod form Batman confirmed Virgil's question.

"And through helping us they learned of you and your abilities and decided to use you for their gain." Robin added.

"Ok, so where do they come in?" Virgil asked gesturing at the four humanoid turtles.

"Apparently Gear tracked your kidnappers here to New York where he ran into some trouble with a local gang. They helped him out. It was Gear who brought us in on the rescue plan and introduced us. That's all we know about them." Batman replied.

"Where is Gear? Is he alright?" Virgil demanded, not noticing the small flinch the purple banded turtle gave at the mention of Gear's name.

"I don't know." Batman answered.

"What do you mean, you don't know?" Virgil growled.

"Look, the rescue obviously didn't go as planned," Robin said tying to calm his friend down, "but Gears' part was in conjunction with theirs, so they probably know what happened to him."

Virgil looked over to them, "Do you?"

The one in red looked to the one in purple before he looked back and nodded, but it was not reassuring to Virgil. He closed his eyes and sighed. When he opened his eyes again he stared into the purple banded ones eyes and said, "When we get out of this I expect you to tell me exactly what happened to him." He received a small affirmative nod and took it as a promise.

After the catch up session, Virgil, Batman and Robin hashed out several escape plans and scenarios but nothing feasible presented itself. Every plan they thought of was dependant on at least one getting free and no one saw that happening anytime soon. Batman knew they were running out of time. He noticed that two of the turtles were in serious need of medical attention.

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Silence followed the boring but needed information session. Raphael had to admit that the kid deserved to know what's been happening. He also had to admit that he was impressed with how both kids have been handling themselves. They were definitely mature beyond their years, especially this Robin kid. How old was he, 8? Maybe even 10? Granted Shredder was evil but were all his lackeys so heartless that they would do this to a child? Of course, he and his brothers were technically still kids them selves at 17, the Shredder only saw them as mutant nuisances and not as children.

This just made Raphael even more angry. For the first time he thoroughly inspect his restraints. The Foot really out did themselves this time. The wrist cuffs were skin tight and seamless, as were the chain links. They had to be some kind of Utrom super metal he concluded, for he had never seen the likes of it on Earth. A quick test proved them to be unbreakable and if he pulled to hard, the collar tightened around his neck causing the spikes to dig farther in. It was a really good deterrent from moving around too much. This one might take a while to figure a way out of, but Raphael knew that if anyone could it would be Donatello. Raph looked over to where his brainy brother was and not to his surprise, Donnie was looking at the pole and restraints in such a way that Raph could practically see the wheels turning. Just like he'd seen his brother do so many times before, but something was different this time. The look in Donatello's gaze seemed more determined…or desperate.

Donatello looked up, sensing his brothers stare. When Raph gave him a questioning look, he responded by flicking his eyes to a point on Raph's right. He had to make sure Raph knew of the urgency that was needed.

Raph followed his brothers gaze and his eyes landed on Michelangelo. His jaw would have dropped had it been free to do so. Mikey was sweating profusely and breathing heavily, just like after an intense workout, but his skin had turned from a vibrant jungle green tone to a more sickly looking shade. And by the way he was holding onto the pole with his eyes squeezed shut, it looked like he was dizzy and trying to keep himself from falling. Something was wrong.

Raph looked back to Donnie with a look that was close to panic. Donnie had a similar look in his eyes too. Man, it had to be serious if Donnie was worried. Raph glanced over to Leo to check him out and he felt his heart sank. Blood was seeping from his leg wound at a steady rate and as a result he was looking very pale. Great, just great! He had one brother slowly bleeding to death and another looked like he was going to pass out any minute, which could be fatal in these restraints, and there was nothing he could do about it. Not a frickin' thing!

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Donatello noticed Raphael's growing anger and frustration, he felt it to but he was staring to get desperate as well. His concern for Michelangelo was increasing. Even tough they couldn't move around very much, he was being abnormally still, not moving at all except for his heavy breathing and he refused to make eye contact with anyone.

Leonardo had him worried too. His leg wound has yet to stop bleeding and a sizeable puddle of blood was already forming at his feet. Not to mention the lack of weight he was putting on that leg.

Donatello's musings were cut off at that moment due to the door opening. Four Foot Soldiers walked in and headed straight for the turtles. Everyone watched their progress, unsure of what was going to happen. They stopped in front of Donatello, which was a surprise for the purple banded turtle. Without a word, they unhooked him from the pole while at the same time a 'leash' was attached to his collar. The leash was tugged and the collar tightened so instinctually Donnie stepped forward to alleviate the pressure. Satisfied, the Ninja started leading Donnie towards the door.

Raphael growled fiercely and Michelangelo and Leonardo vocalized their dislike also. Donatello heard his brothers protests and looked back and tried to reassure them with a look but he couldn't totally hide the rising panic he felt from them and that made them struggle even more.

As they passed the tube housing Batman and Robin, the Boy Wonder spoke up,

"Where are you taking him?" He asked in the most threatening voice he could muster, but his question went unanswered.

Donatello was led straight passed without a single word, but he gave the young hero a wink of reassurance before he walked out of the room.

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Raphael was shaking, he was so furious at being able to do nothing but watch as his brother was being taken away. When the door closed once more, Raphael gave another fearsome growl but no one could mistake the fear that laced it. He had never felt so helpless before and as a result he continued to shake as much from anger as from fear. Leonardo understood completely, but he learned long ago to keep his emotions in check. He had never seen Raphael loose it like this though. Even when he almost caved Michelangelo's head in with a pipe, paled in comparison to this. So when Raphael's breathing became labored, Leonardo feared he would hyperventilate. Before he could think of a way to help calm his brother, the sound of metal clanking against metal hit his ears. He and Raphael turned their heads to the direction of the noise at the same time. It was Michelangelo who had used his chains against the pole to get his brothers attention. Mikey looked at Raph, not in anger nor in pity, but with understanding. Staring into his baby brothers blue eyes, Raphael visibly relaxed. Somehow he knew that things would turn out ok, somehow he just knew and that was all Raphael needed.

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Donatello was surprised when he was led to a room just down the hall from where he was previously being kept. It had the same white walls, ceiling and floor but it was much smaller, only about 10 x 10 feet wide. A single soldier remained behind while the rest left. The Ninja remained by the door and stood stock still, ignoring the turtle like those British soldiers by Buckingham Place. Just when Donatello started to wonder what was going to

happen, the door opened. Dread filled his heart when he saw the Shredder walk through the doorway.

"Donatello," Shredder said, sounding as though just by merely saying his name was akin to chewing glass,

"Your earlier attempt at escape impresses me. I doubt even Stockman could have hotwired that door as successfully as you did."

Donatello snorted at the mention of the so-called scientist and the Shredder noticed,

"Yes I agree that Stockman is lacking in almost every intellectual avenue he pursues, which leaves me in need of someone with a higher capacity for true genius." Shredder looked directly into his eyes and it clicked.

'He wants me to do something for him! Well he can forget it!' Donatello thought as he narrowed his eyes in defiance.

A sharp pain hit his jaw. He didn't even see the hit coming, at least not this soon. Donatello could feel his lip starting to swell, probably already forming a nice bruise, and he could taste the blood seeping into his mouth. He supposed he should be thankful Shredder didn't use the hand with the sharp blades on the gauntlet.

"Do not be so quick to refuse!" Shredder roared angrily.

Donatello was glad the muzzle was still on because he felt that if he was able he would have said something he would have regretted.

"You listen good reptile. Your brother was foolish enough to refuse me and look where it got him, restrained like the animal he is along with the rest of your pathetic kind!" Shredder paused and his demeanor changed from raging to a more sinister calmness.

"If you fulfill my…requests, you and your brothers will be allowed to leave this city and live out the rest of your lives free from ay more interference from me."

He didn't say it, but Donnie got the jist of it. They would have to leave the city, their home and never come back. The Shredder said that they wouldn't have to fear him interfering with their lives anymore, which translated to them not interfering with him and his operations anymore.

"But wait, I'm being rude. How can I expect a proper answer when you cannot give one? Remove his muzzle." The remaining Foot soldier moved to comply.

Donatello thought furiously for a way out while the Foot soldier followed his masters orders. His brothers would never agree to leave the city, let alone allow the Shredder to control it. But if he agreed, would he really let them go? Donatello doubted it. Before he could think of a plan, the muzzle was off and the Shredder was expecting an answer.

Maybe just staying quiet and not giving any answer would work?

No such luck.

This time it was a full out punch, unfortunately to the same spot on the jaw and Donatello found himself knocked off balance and the floor came up to meet him really fast. His head hit first and he saw stars. He probably would have passed out if not for the splash of cold water thrown on him. He sputtered and coughed as he laid on the floor. Donatello knew he had split his head open just over his right eye because blood was dripping from the wound and into his eye as well as on the floor. Judging by the amount of blood he was seeing, it was a sizeable wound. His head hurt and there was a ringing in his ears. It wouldn't surprise him if he had a concussion. When he got his bearings back, Donatello noticed he was alone with the Shredder. Now he was really getting scared. Where did the Foot soldier go?

The Shredder watched with pleasure as he watched the confused and frightened turtle try to struggle to its feet. It wasn't pity that made him walk towards it but rather impatience. He grabbed him by the neck, lifted him up so his toes could no longer touch the floor and slammed him against the wall.

Pain exploded in the back of Donatello's head as it hit the wall and he wondered how many hits to the head he could take before there was permanent damage?

"Silence is a very dangerous thing, reptile. The next time I ask for an answer you better give me one or there will be consequences."

"How do you expect me to give you an answer when I don't even know what you want me to do?"

"Fine!" Shredder growled as his gripped tightened on the turtles neck, as a warning. Donatello was pushing it and he had to be careful not to push it too far.

"I want some information retrieved from…a unique source."

"What do you mean by unique?"

"That is all you need to know for now."

Donatello was usually a very patient turtle, with a little brother like Mikey you kind of had to be, but right now he was startling to loose it. Maybe it was the repeated hits to his head or something but he just couldn't help the words the came out of his mouth,

"You offer me empty promises, you will never keep you word to let us go, so torture me or kill me if you want but it won't get you anything."

The Shredder chuckled, "Who said that it would be you that I would torture or kill?"

As the words left his mouth three Foot Soldiers walked in dragging his brother behind them. He couldn't tell which one it was until they threw him on the floor.

It was Michelangelo.

Donatello wished that he wasn't so surprised, but he was and a cold stab of fear settled in his gut. His feelings were all to clear to the Shredder and he laughed once again.

"Your affection for each other has always been your greatest weakness." Shredder let go of his neck and Donatello fell but managed to land on his feet, staying against the wall for support. The Shredder continued his speech, "The three of you could have escaped tonight if you had left Leonardo. One sacrificed for the greater good would be a reasonable casualty in any war."

"Those who would sacrifice so easily would not have my respect or loyalty."

He seemed to ignore Donatello's reply as he went over to Michelangelo and kicked him in the stomach. "NO!" Donatello yelled as Mikey grunted in pain. Shredder snapped his finger and the Ninja pulled the prone turtle up into a kneeling position. Michelangelo looked up then and Donatello stared into his big blue eyes. They conveyed everything from concern, anger, fear and even acceptance for what was going to happen, whatever that may be.

"I have studied your battles and from my observations and those of my Ninja, I have noticed that you all protect this one more fiercely. He is your Achilles' heel. " He paused for a few moments before he continued, letting the threat hang in the air.

"Are you going to do as I ask?" He asked as he pretended to flick imaginary dust from his bladed gauntlet.

Donatello was just about to answer when Michelangelo started to struggle.

"What is this?" Amusement colored Shredders voice, "You don't want your brother helping me?" Mikey glared, defying the Shredder as best he could. "Too bad, you have no say in the matter!"

With a swift movement the Shredder swung his gauntlet at Michelangelo. Donatello watched in horror as his brother was slashed in the arm. Michelangelo tried to cry out in pain, but the muzzle only letting it come as a moan.

"STOP!" Donatello screamed, but the damage was done. Two deep gashes laid open and bleeding between his shoulder and elbow on his left arm. The Shredder placed the bloody blades under Michelangelo's chin and tilted his head up so Donatello could look into his brothers pain filled eyes.

This particular injury scared Donatello like no other could, for it sparked a deeply buried fear. The fear of a terrible future he once experienced and vowed would never come to pass. He could see no other way. He had no choice. No amount stalling or talking would improve the situation.

"Stop!" He said again and the Shredder looked at him, and Donatello looked at the floor in defeat, "I'll do whatever you want."

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A/N: Only two or three chapters left! Don't worry I still have some surprises up my sleeve!